Fresh Corn, Potato & “Bacon” Chowder

Happy Saturday all! I really, really wanted an Eggwich this morning, but, there was only ONE problem. I used up all our eggs on egg salad sandwiches ~ oops! I pondered actually running to the store to get some eggs, but, totally forgot about the eggs when The Husband mentioned a “Dirty Latte”.

What can I say?! I am easily distracted when FREE Starbuck’s is involved.

I topped one slice of sour dough with 1/2 the salad, sea salt and black pepper. (4 points+). I like the egg salad with chives, but, I think the spicy ranchero is better.

I made up a super colorful and crunchy side salad to go with my sandwich.

* Organic Mixed Greens

* Organic Broccoli Slaw

* Organic Sweet Peppers

* 1 Tbsp Dried Cranberries (1 point+)

* 3 Trader Joe’s Candied Walnuts, crumbled (1 point+)

Then, I topped it with a new to me dressing. I am not sure why I’ve never tried this TJ’s Balsamic Vinaigrette until now, but, it is AWESOME!!! It reminds me of the dressing at my favorite salad place, Jack’s Urban Eats.

ONLY 1 POINT+ per Tbsp ~ that is AWESOME!!! I drizzled my salad with 1 Tbsp – it was enough.

Dessert!

My entire lunch was 8 Points+ ~ I LOVE it when you get a lot of food for little points+.

Can you all believe it?! I finally decided to make a NEW recipe for once!! I know it’s been awhile and I am way over due in giving you all some fun new ideas.

It has been raining for like a week straight here and The Husband is sick so I decided some soup was in order. I have really been wanting a reason to use a sour dough bread bowl.

I wanted a big bowl of chunky corn, potato and bacon chowder. I LOVE my chowders to be hearty so I often pack them with vegetables and lean protein. I LOVED the smokiness of the ham and the crunch of the bacon on top. The broth softened the bread so it made it seem like you had little “dumplings” in there too.

I LOVED this recipe, but, I think next time around, I’d only use 3 cups of broth and omit the cream of corn as I think it would make it more “chowder like” and thicker.

FRESH CORN, POTATO & “BACON” CHOWDER

INGREDIENTS

3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

1/2 cup celery, chopped

2 Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced (about 1/2 lb)

2 Yukon Gold Potatoes, “baked in the microwave” for 7 minutes, mashed

6 oz Canadian bacon, diced

4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

4 ears corn on the cob

1 cup Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted corn

15 oz can cream of corn, optional

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Sea Salt & Black Pepper to Taste

5 Dashes of hot sauce to taste

2 Tbsp scallion(s), fresh, chopped

INGREDIENTS

1. In a large sauce pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside. Discard bacon grease.

2. In the same pan, add the olive oil onion, pepper, celery and canadian bacon. Cook for about 2 minutes, until softened. Diced half of your potatoes to the onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, remove the kernels from the corn by placing in a large bowl and using your knife to remove the kernels. Add both types of corn, broth, evaporated milk, creamed corn, “mashed potatoes” and spices. Simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Serve soup topped with crumbled bacon and scallions.

Makes 10 servings, heaping 1 1/2 cups each

Nutritional information based on 10 servings, 6 points+ each

STEP – BY – STEP

I really think the secret ingredients that make this recipe awesome are the two types of corn. The Fire Roasted Corn adds a sweet smokiness while the fresh corn adds a deliciously sweet crunch.

Cook up your bacon and set aside. Be sure to make an extra piece for yourself, because, you know you are going to eat some (2 points+ a slice)

FRESH CORN! TIP ~ Whenever you slice corn off the cob, do it in a BIG BOWL to keep it from going all over the place.

Add your fire roasted corn, fresh corn and broth.

Add your remaining 2 potatoes. I cooked mine in the microwave for 7 minutes, then, mashed them. This works as a “thickener”.

Add in the cream of corn and evaporated milk.

Serve in a mini sour dough bread bowl topped with the crumbled bacon and scallions.

I actually gave The Husband my bread bowl top and the “inside bread” that I scooped out to make room for my soup. I totally had plans to eat the ENTIRE bowl, but, was full half way through so I stopped. (11 points+)

I am by far a “broth” based soup person. I LOVE my soups to be chunky, not creamy and smooth and I actually do not like canned soup really at all. I buy it, but, I never eat it lol. My all time favorite soup is probably ~ Chicken Tortilla Soup topped with fresh avocado!

I tend to go for broth-y soups- but I like to add lots of crackers to make it “thick” OR I like to have some great bread to dip in it (like at Panera). I’m mostly with you on the canned soups. The one brand I actually do like is Amy’s.

I’m definitely making that soup this week. It looks like it would make a great dinner, my toddler would love it, as would my husband. Now to find FireRoasted Corn – no Trader Joe’s where I live (Canada), but hopefully I can find something similar. I can see how it would add a depth of flavour to the soup. Love your blog, btw, which I just discovered!

TJs Fat Free Balsamic Vinegarette is a stample in my house. Give it a try! It is really good and you get 2T for 1 point!

Another fantastic product at TJs is their frozen white corn or yellow corn. Folks on the East coast can’t get decent corn on the cob this time of year (well, we can’t near Philly anyway) so I always keep TJs in the freezer – tastes like it is fresh off the cob.

I actually buy the Land o Lakes whipped butter in a tub next to all the other butters. I LOVE that you get 1 tsp of whipped butter for 1 point+ and 1 Tbsp for 2 Points+. It is definitely worth it to me and I think at times better than the spray butter.

Love the site and food ideas! Just wondering how you calculated the points for the Dirty Latte. Not sure exactly what it is, but some one said it was a chai latte with a shot of espresso. I love the chai lattes but tend not to order them any more cos the grande is 6 points+ (with FF milk)!! the tall is only 4 points but that’s why i’m curious how the grande dirty latte is only 4?

Thanks for the comment and the question. A Dirty Latte is a regular latte with 1 pump of mocha. When ordering it hot, I get a grande nonfat decaf latte with 1 pump of mocha for 4 points+. When order it iced I get a Venti Iced nonfat decaf latte with 1 pump of mocha for 4 points+. Each pump of mocha syrup is 1 point+ so I count the points+ for a latte and add 1 point+ for each pump.

You could do the same with your chai…..each pump is 1 point+. You would be surprised at how you can’t really taste the difference. I would probably do 2 pumps to start then you can adjust.

Another thing mentioned by a reader was that she get regular chai tea with hot water, adds a splash of milk and honey to save on points+. I’ve never tried it though.

I actually did a post on how I reduce my points+ at Starbuck’s if you wanted to check it out.

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About Danica

Whether she’s enjoying a dish at a local restaurant or whipping up a crowd-pleasing, nutritious meal at home, Danica has a passion for all things food. She believes in and follows the Weight Watchers principle of “all things in moderation” and chronicles her culinary adventures here. Besides sharing her daily eats and tasty, nutritious recipes, Danica connects others seeking a healthier lifestyle on her other site Friends For Weight Loss.